My View: As the world mourns for Jacko, we must not forget his children
We've just got over the hysteria of Jade Goody's death, when the world seems to have gone into mourning over the untimely departure of Michael Jackson.
I had mixed emotions when I heard the news on Friday morning that Jacko had died. At first I thought "that's sad" and then almost relief that such a seemingly tortured soul was at rest.
For whatever reason Michael Jackson was not a happy man – if he was, why the constant plastic surgery to change his looks?
There is no doubt that he was an exceptional talent; Thriller was one of the first albums I bought. But his adult life was dogged with child abuse allegations and his private life left many feeling decidedly uneasy.
There is no doubt he has divided opinion in death as he has in life. There are those that are weeping and wailing at the death of the King of Pop and then there are those who felt his unhealthy interest in young boys was little more than paedophilia; they will have shed few tears at his passing.
As with any celebrity death these days, there is the element that has reacted with hysteria.
I heard one report at the weekend which said we would all remember where we were when we heard the news Michael Jackson was dead. Please. I will always remember where I was when I saw those planes enter the Twin Towers, even when I heard the news of Princess Diana's death, but the death of a pop star, no matter how talented, will not be etched on my memory for years to come.
Don't get me wrong, I quite liked Michael Jackson's music, but the child-star and song-writing genius passed away a long time ago in my mind. We can mourn the loss of his talent, but how can we mourn the loss of a man
few knew?
The conspiracy theories have already started, as the father who Michael Jackson himself accused of robbing him of his childhood, believes there has been foul play.
Once again though it is the children whom people seem to have forgotten. They are the ones who can truly mourn the loss of a father. However strange we thought him, he was a father to those children.
Not only are they having to deal with the premature death of their father, they are now subject to speculation about their paternity as Jackson's mother Katherine was granted temporary guardianship of the three children.
No doubt, as with the death of Diana, the speculation and conspiracies theories will continue as the CD sales sky rocket and the record companies make money out of his death.
I just hope that those three children will be allowed to grow up in peace and have the childhood Jackson did not have, but somehow I doubt it.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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